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Discussion on Blistering for UFP??
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Member:
Luvmyqh
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 12:55 am:
Hi Dr. O,
I realize that you have not personally used blistering as a treatment for UFP, however, after exhausting all other treatment options except surgery, this is my last resort for my 7 Y/O QH. I have read the iodine discussion, and also all discussions on UFP, but I was wondering if you could give me more information on the actual procedure. Also, could you explain the difference between internal blistering and external blistering? I'm in the middle of a heated discussion about this, and am being told that blistering is barbaric and borders on cruelty...I'm thinking that this person is confusing the internal blistering of the stifles with the external "McKays" blistering done on track horses. I would greatly appreciate it if you could clear this up.
Thanks Much,
Stephany
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 8:25 am:
Hello Stephany,
I was cleaning up mailboxes when I can across this posting, sorry for the delay. When we say a stifle is "blistered" it is entirely different than the procedure done elsewhere in the horse. Blistering of the stifles is where you inject into the medial patellar and some suggest also the middle patellar ligaments with McKays iodine. Quite frankly I have never heard two vets who did it the same way so hesitate to make recommendations without personal experience.
I can say that I have seen horses where both procedures were done and blistering the skin of horses causes very intense pain for quite some time that is not particularly bute responsive and is extremely questionable in efficacy. Some horses were depressed, off feed, and had to be cross tied to prevent them from chewing on their legs. These are some of my most unpleasant memories of racetrack practice where I interned for a few months a long time ago.
While blistering the stifle does cause some pain, it is somewhat bute responsive (though some think bute counteracts the procedure) and it has been effective. I don't consider the degree of discomfort unacceptable: there is a significant but transient lameness but otherwise the horse continues to feel well (bright, alert, and good appetite). We had one or maybe a few blow by blow reports on internal blistering of the stifle, try a search on the discussions and they will come up.
DrO
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